7-11 has made it clear that they've come to New York City to take over our local bodegas and corner grocery stores. They call it the Business Conversion Program. As New York magazine reported, the program's "stated goal is to entice mom-and-pop shops into becoming 7-Elevens."

On 8th Avenue at 25th Street this week, yet another 7-11 has plunked itself down--this one right next to a mom-and-pop corner grocery store, Kyung's Gourmet Foods. The spot used to be something needed--a laundromat.

The sign in the window says: "Franchise This Store." It's a 7-11 without an owner. They're just sticking them on our streets and letting them sit empty until someone dials the number or texts the word "Franchise" to the head office.

Are there any published studies on the effects of chain stores on NYC-based shops? I'd be interested in reading one.

As repugnant as the 7/11 explosion is, I'd like to see what precedents we have. Off the top of my head I know that McDonald's didn't kill the burger joint, and Sbarro didn't wipe out pizzerias. Starbucks certainly hasn't killed local cafes.

I predict the 7-11s will do as all chains do: Entrench themselves, overextend, wear out welcome, and retreat. They're probably here to stay, but they'll eventually just become part of the background.

No amount of hand-wringing or boycotting will fight this. The only way is a tax incentive to remain independent (or I suppose you could call it a tax penalty for going franchise). I wonder how receptive New Yorkers would be to this.

A bit of bright news - There's a 7-11 and a Dunkin Donuts that opened up near each other in Chinatown recently, and all the cops and workers still go to the newsstand, the coffee cart, and Best Health Deli.

There's a 7-11 on 20th and third avenue that's been open for a year or two. It opened next to a corner newsstand that's been around for at least the 15 years I've been in the neighborhood. The corner newsstand people told me they are in danger of closing soon because of the damage of the other place. (The Daily News did an article about it, I think). The 7-11's impact on the hood has been enough that the longtime local korean bodega has taken to running special promotions to try and keep its customers.

Those bastards. Has anyone noticed the smell outside a 7-11? That revolting warmed-up movie theater hot-dog aroma mixed with the disgusting evaporated coffee smell? They vent it directly to the street because it announces the presence of a 7-11 for fifty yards in every direction.

Hey, I like 7-11s Slurpees, so sue me. Until those Slurpee machines are patent-free or whatever, I'll welcome the 7-11s in. That doesn't mean I'd eat any of that nasty shit they serve. I'll still go to the bodegas for rat-nibbled chicken parms.

Yeah not jumping on the 7-11 hate, cheap snacks and no credit/debit card minimum on purchases are some services this neighborhood lacks. Don't go there if you don't want to, but banning or restricting franchises seems a little extreme.

im back to the 7/11 post, & back visiting mexico. the corn fields & horse fields were distroyed around 8 yrs ago. filthy vacant lots stand in their place. they are building a 7/11 on the largest lot. it will be "open all night"- the 5th one w/in a 2 mile stretch. same scenario: 7/11, dominos, fried chicken, 7/11. dominos, fried chicken, mac donalds. i can understand this in ignorant non protected developing countries, but in MANHATTAN? sickening. this is not about bloomberg, this is bigger than that. bigger than you need to know.

I live on 25th and have been going to Kyung's for 20 years, although I'll admit the Whole Foods suits my general needs a lot more than Kyung's, but still, I'll miss them. They know me. I think the things I hate the most about the 7-11's are the way they look, how bright they are, and how it just makes all of new york look kind of the same. I feel the same about Duane Reed with their bright red signs. No class, no character, just sell, sell, sell. Someone please buy me out of my lease. I'm ready for Portland.